(VOVworld) – Ren Guoqiang, a spokesperson for China’s National Defense Ministry, has stated that China opposes South Korea’s deployment of the US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

A golf course in Seongju where the THAAD system will be deployed. (Photo: YONHAP/VNA)

The Xinhua News Agency quoted Ren as saying the deployment will gravely undermine the regional strategic balance and the strategic security interests of China and Russia.

Ren said China hopes South Korea will value military ties between the two countries in handling issues that directly concern China's strategic security interests.

He stressed that China’s armed forces will make all necessary preparations to resolutely safeguard China’s security.

South Korea reiterated that the deployment of the THAAD system is a defense against Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile threats. Seoul has made that assurance multiple times, the latest during a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of South Korea and Russia last Friday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.